Magnetic pulses target teen depression
NCT ID NCT05544071
First seen Sep 21, 2026 · Last updated Sep 21, 2026
Summary
Researchers test whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce depression and anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, in teenagers. The trial enrolls 88 adolescents with major depressive disorder who score high on measures of depression and anhedonia. Half receive active rTMS aimed at a specific brain circuit, and half receive a sham stimulation. The main goal is to see if the active treatment improves pleasure scores after eight weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-drug option for teenagers whose depression and loss of pleasure have not improved with standard treatments.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is small and early, so results may not hold up in larger groups. Brain stimulation can cause scalp discomfort or headaches, and some teens may not respond.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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88 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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13 to 18 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female, 13 to 18 years of age. * According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and currently experiencing a Major Depressive Episode (MDE). * Meet the threshold on the total HAMD17 score of \>/=17 at both screening and baseline visits (Day -7 and Day 0). * Meet the threshold on the total SHAPS score of \>/=20 at both screening and baseline visits (Day -7 and Day 0). * Not take any antidepressants for two or more weeks before screening. * In good general health, as ascertained by medical history. * After fully understanding the treatment of transcranial magnetic stimulation, willing to cooperate with the treatment actively and able to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder, with the exception of nicotine and caffeine dependence. * Current diagnosis of mental disorders other than Dysthymic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, or Specific Phobia (unless one of these is clinically unstable, and/or the focus of the participant's treatment for the past six months or more). * History of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders, or any history of psychotic symptoms in the current or previous depressive episodes. * Any other Mental Disorders, Personality Disorders, Intellectual Disability, which at screening is clinically predominant to their MDD. * Has a clinically significant abnormality on the screening examination that might affect safety, study participation, or confound interpretation of study results. * Any current or past history of any physical condition which in the investigator's opinion might put the subject at risk or interfere with study results interpretation. * Participation in any clinical trial with an investigational drug or device within the past month or concurrent to study participation. * History of electronic instrument or metal in the head or skull. * History of epilepsy. * History of cardiovascular disease or cardiac event. * History of OCD. * History of autism spectrum disorder. * History of rTMS exposure. * Other situations judged by the researchers to be unsuitable for the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Xijing Hospital
Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
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